During the World Championships of League of Legends (LoL) we often see the same supporters focusing on a specific item. For this, even conventional builds are thrown overboard!
If there is an item that summarizes the LoL World Championship 2017, it is probably “Ardent Censer“. Entire matches revolve around which side finishes the Ardent Censer (in German “Glühender Rauchschwenker”) first and then gains a power boost.
In combination with Janna, Lulu, and a handful of other supporters, the item shows its true strength.
Ardent Censer in LoL – ADCs build support items
Even before the World Championships began, Ardent Censer was strong. The item is carried by supporters and greatly buffs a shielded or healed character. The tooltip tells us what makes the item so strong:
- UNIQUE, Passive: +10 % healing and shield power
- UNIQUE, Passive: +8 % movement speed
- UNIQUE, Passive: Heals and shields cast on an allied champion grant them 25% attack speed and 25% lifesteal for 6 seconds on hit.
In the meantime, Ardent Censer has been reworked and no longer grants lifesteal. However, this year’s World Championships of League of Legends are played on patch 7.18. The tooltip shown above counts there.
Now, champions who can distribute heals or buff allies’ shields particularly benefit from it. For this reason, Janna and Lulu are particularly popular picks at the World Championship.
The hype around the item goes so far that ADCs buy the Relic Shield to funnel more gold to their supporters. Just so they can quickly finish the Ardent Censer.
Frequently used – Ardent Censer bores the viewers
Until the first group stage of the World Championships, the item was built in 59 of the 63 matches. The item is so popular that it is already used as a meme among fans: “We have Ardent Censered them,” is often read on Reddit and Co.
Players complain about the Ardent Censer meta. “There are teams whose strategy consists of playing defensively until they have the Ardent Censer.” Instead of fighting early, many wait until the item is in their hands. This bores many viewers.
Is Ardent Censer OverPowered?
Some LCK teams try to counter or work around the meta: “For us, it’s like the lottery. It is pointless if our teams do not base around the Ardent Censer.
Even if we implement a strategy that would destroy such a combo, it is only a matter of time. It not only depends on our own time management. The time it takes our opponents to finish their builds is suddenly important for us as well.”
From the EU teams, there is negative criticism regarding the item. “We find it a shame that the games revolve so much around a specific lane.” They would prefer more balance and for the entire team to matter.
The North American teams find Ardent Censer overpowered. “All you need to describe the World Championships 2017 is ‘Ardent Censer’.” This statement fits well with the following video.
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